Al-Monitor, a US-based news organization, confirmed the kidnapping of American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad, Iraq, earlier today and called for her “safe and immediate release.”
Al-Monitor said it was “deeply alarmed” by the abduction of Kittleson, who works as a contributor for the news outlet.
“We call for her safe and immediate release. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work,” the statement added.
Iraq’s Ministry of Interior said in an earlier statement that a female foreign journalist was kidnapped in central Baghdad by unknown individuals Tuesday evening and that security forces have launched an operation to track down those responsible and secure her release.
Two interior ministry officials told CNN, on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, that the kidnapped journalist was Kittleson.
A US official told CNN that they are tracking Kittleson’s kidnapping and is working with Iraq to try to secure her release.
A State Department official said that they “are (closely) tracking these reports,” but declined to comment further “due to privacy and other considerations.” “The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans,” the State Department official said.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was “deeply concerned” by reports of Kittleson’s abduction and urged Iraqi authorities to do everything in their power to locate her and “hold those responsible to account.”
Kittleson is a journalist specializing in the Middle East and Afghanistan, with work published in international, US and Italian outlets, according to Al-Monitor.
CNN’s Dalia Abdelwahab contributed reporting.